Skip to main content
Log in

Efficacy of Sensory and Motor Interventions for Children with Autism

  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Idiosyncratic responses to sensory stimuli and unusual motor patterns have been reported clinically in young children with autism. The etiology of these behavioral features is the subject of much speculation. Myriad sensory- and motor-based interventions have evolved for use with children with autism to address such issues; however, much controversy exists about the efficacy of such therapies. This review paper summarizes the sensory and motor difficulties often manifested in autism, and evaluates the scientific basis of various sensory and motor interventions used with this population. Implications for education and further research are described.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Adams, L. (1998). Oral-motor and motor-speech characteristics of children with autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 13, 108–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adrien, J. L., Lenoir, P., Martineau, J., Perrot, A., Haneury, L., Larmande, C., & Sauvage, D. (1993). Blind ratings of early symptoms of autism based upon family home movies. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 33, 617–626.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adrien, J. L., Ornitz, E., Barthelemy, C., Sauvage, D., & Lelord, G. (1987). The presence or absence of certain behaviors associated with infantile autism in severely retarded autistic and nonautistic retarded children and very young normal children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 17, 407–416.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adrien, J. L., Perrot, A., Sauvage, D., Leddet, I., Larmande, C., Hameury, L., & Barthelemy, C. (1992). Early symptoms in autism from family home movies: Evaluation and comparison between 1st and 2nd year of life using I.B.S.E. Scale. Acta Paedopsychiatrica: International Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 55, 71–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amato, J., & Slavin, D. (1998). A preliminary investigation of oromotor function in young verbal and nonverbal children with autism. Infant-Toddler Intervention 8, 175–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arendt, R. E., Maclean, W. E., & Baumeister, A. A. (1988). Critique of sensory integration therapy and its application in mental retardation. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 92, 401–429.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayres, J. (1972). Improving academic scores through sensory integration. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 5, 338–343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayres, A. J., & Tickle, L. S. (1980). Hyper-responsivity to touch and vestibular stimuli as a predictor of positive response to sensory integration procedures by autistic children. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 34, 375–381.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baranek, G. T. (1999). Autism during infancy: A retrospective video analysis of sensory-motor and social behaviors at 9-12 months of age. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 29, 213–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baranek, G. T., Foster, L. G., & Berkson, G. (1997). Tactile defensiveness and stereotyped behaviors. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 51, 91–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bettison, S. (1996). The long-term effects of auditory training on children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 26, 361–374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bridgman, G. D., Cushen, W., Cooper, D. M., & Williams, R. J. (1985). The evaluation of sensorimotor patterning and the persistence of belief. British Journal of Mental Subnormality, 31, 67–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, M. M. (1999). Auditory integration training and autism: Two case studies. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62, 13–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bundy, A. C., & Murray, E. A. (2002). Sensory Integration: A. Jean Ayres Theory Revisited. In A. C. Bundy, E. A. Murray & S. Lane (Eds.), Sensory integration: Theory and practice. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmody, D. P., Kaplan, M., & Gaydos, A. M. (2001). Spatial orientation adjustments in children with autism in Hong Kong. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 31, 233–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Case-Smith J. (1995). The relationships among sensorimotor components, fine motor skills, and functional performance in preschool children. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 49, 645–652.

    Google Scholar 

  • Case-Smith, J., & Bryan, T. (1999). The effects of occupational therapy with sensory integration emphasis on preschool-age children with autism. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 53, 489–497.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, F. A., Miller, L. R., Kucherawy, D. A., & Azen, S. P. (1978). A comparison of operant and sensory integrative methods on developmental parameters in profoundly retarded adults. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 32, 86–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connolly, K., & Elliott, J. (1989). The emergence of a tool-using skill in infancy. Developmental Psychology, 25, 894–912.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahlgren, S. O., & Gillberg, C. (1989). Symptoms in the first two years of life. European Archives of Psychiatry and Neurological Science, 238, 169–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeMyer, M., Barton, S., & Norton, J. A. (1972). A comparison of adaptive, verbal and motor profiles of psychotic and nonpsychotic subnormal children. Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 2, 359–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edelson, S. M., Goldberg, M., Edelson, M. G., Kerr, D. C., & Grandin, T. (1999). Behavioral and physiological effects of deep pressure on children with autism: A pilot study evaluating the efficacy of Grandins Hug Machine. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 53, 145–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Field, T., Lasko, P. M., Henteleff, T., Kabat, S., Talpins, S., & Dowling, M. (1997). Brief report: Autistic childrens attentiveness and responsivity improve after touch therapy. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 27, 333–339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gepner, B., Mestre, D., Masson, G., & de Schonen, S. (1995). Postural effects of motion vision in young autistic children. Neuroreport, 6(8), 1211–1124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillberg, C., Ehlers, S., Schaumann, H., Jakobsson, G., Dahlgren, S. O., Lindblom, R., Bagenholm, A., Tjuus, T., & Blidner, E. (1990). Autism under age 3 years: A clinical study of 28 cases referred for autistic symptoms in infancy. Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 31, 921–934.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillberg, C., Johansson, M., Steffenburg, S., & Berlin, O. (1997). Auditory integration training in children with autism: Brief report of an open pilot study. Autism, 1(1), 97–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gravel, J. S. (1994). Auditory integrative training: Placing the burden of proof. American Journal of Speech and Language Pathology, 3, 25–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenspan, S., & Weider, S. (1997). Developmental patterns and outcomes in infants and children with disorders in relating and communicating. A chart review of 200 cases of children with autistic spectrum diagnoses. Journal of Developmental and Learning Disorders, 1, 87–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoehn, T. P., & Baumeister, A. A. (1994). A critique of the application of sensory integration therapy to children with learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 27, 338–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoshino, Y., Kumashiro, H., Yashima, Y., Tachibana, R., Watanabe, M., & Furukawa, H. (1982). Early symptoms of autistic children and its diagnostic significance. Folia Psychiatrica et Neurologica Japonica, 36, 367–374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, C., & Russell, J. (1993). Autistic childrens difficulty with mental disengagement from an object: Its implications for theories of autism. Developmental Psychology, 29, 498–510.

    Google Scholar 

  • Humphries, T. W., Snider, L., & McDougall, B. (1993). Clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of sensory integrative and perceptual motor therapy in improving sensory integrative function in children with learning disabilities. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 13, 163–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Humphries, T. W., Wright, M., McDougall, B., & Vertes, J. (1990). The efficacy of sensory integration therapy for children with learning disability. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 10, 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Humphries, T. W., Wright, M., Snider, L., & McDougall, B. (1992). A comparison of the effectiveness of sensory integrative therapy and perceptual-motor training in treating children with learning disabilities. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 13, 31–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutt, C., Hutt, S. J., Lee, D., & Ounsted, C. (1964). Arousal and childhood autism. Nature, 204, 909–919.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, A. L., & Barry, R. J. (1984). Cardiovascular and electrodermal responses to simple stimuli in autistic, retarded and normal children. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 1, 179–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, M. H., Siddons, F., Frith, U., & Morton, J. (1992). Can autism be predicted on the basis of infant screening tests? Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 34, 316–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, V., & Prior, M. (1985). A comparison of adaptive, verbal and motor profiles of psychotic and non-psychotic subnormal children. Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 2, 359–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanter, R. M., Kanter, B., & Clark, D. L. (1982). Vestibular stimulation effect on language development in mentally retarded children. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 36, 46–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, M., Carmody, D. P., & Gaydos, A. (1996). Postural orientation modifications in autism in response to ambient lenses. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 27 pp81-91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, M., Edelson, S. M., & Seip, J. L. (1998). Behavioral changes in autistic individuals as a result of wearing ambient transitional prism lenses. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 29, 65–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kern, L., Koegel, R. L., & Dunlap, G. (1984). The influence of vigorous versus mild exercise on autistic stereotyped behaviors. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 14, 57–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kern, L., Koegel, L. R., Dyer, K., Blew, P. A., & Fenton, L. R. (1982). The effects of physical exercise on self-stimulation and appropriate responding in autistic children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 12, 399–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kershner, J. R., Cummings, R. L., Clarke, K. A., Hadfield, A. J., & Kershner, B. A. (1990). Two year evaluation of the Tomatis listening training program with learning disabled children. Learning Disability Quarterly, 13, 43–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kientz, M. A., & Dunn, W. (1997). A comparison of the performance of children with and without autism on the Sensory Profile. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 51, 530–537.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinsbourne, M. (1987). Cerebral-brainstem relations in infantile autism. In E. Schopler & G. B. Mesibov (Eds.), Neurobiological issues in autism (pp. 107–125). New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klin, A., Volkmar, F. R., & Sparrow, S. S. (1992). Autistic social dysfunction: Some limitations of the theory of mind hypothesis. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 33, 861–876.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohen-Raz, R., Volkmar, F. R., & Cohen, D. (1992). Postural control in children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 22, 419–432.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kootz, J. P., & Cohen, D. J., (1981). Modulation of sensory intake in autistic children: Cardiovascular and behavioral indices. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry 20, 692–701.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kootz, J. P., Marinelli, B., & Cohen, D. J. (1982). Modulation of response to environmental stimulation in autistic children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 12, 185–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larrington, G. G. (1987). A sensory integration based program with a severely retarded/autistic teenager: An occupational therapy case report. In Z. Mailloux (Ed.), Sensory Integration Approaches (pp. 101–117). New York: Hawthorn Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Couteur, A., Rutter, M., Lord, C., Rios, P., Robertson, S., Holdgrafer, M., & McLennan, J. (1989). Autism Diagnostic Interview: A standardized investigator-based instrument. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 19, 363–387.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinson, L. J., & Reid, G. (1993). The effects of exercise intensity on the stereotypic behaviors of individuals with autism. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 10, (3), 255–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lincoln, A. J., Courchesne, E., Harms, L., & Allen, M. (1995). Sensory modulation of auditory stimuli in children with autism and receptive developmental language disorder: Event-related brain potential evidence. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 25, 521–539.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linderman, T. M., & Steward, K. B. (1999). Sensory integrative-based occupational therapy and functional outcomes in young children with pervasive developmental disorders: A single subject study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 53, 207–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Link, H. M. (1997). Auditory integration training (AIT): Sound therapy-Case studies of three boys with autism who received AIT. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 25, 106–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masterton, B. A., & Biederman, G. B. (1983). Proprioceptive versus visual control in autistic children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 13, 141–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • McClure, M. K., & Holtz-Yotz, M. (1990). The effects of sensory stimulatory treatment on an autistic child. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 45, 1138–1145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minshew, N. J., Goldstein, G., & Siegel, D. J. (1997). Neuropsychologic functioning in autism: Profile of a complex information processing disorder. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 3, 303–316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mudford, O. C., Cross, B. A., Breen, S., Cullen, C., Reeves, D., Gould, J., & Douglas, J. (2000). Auditory integration training for children with autism: No behavioral benefits detected. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 105, 118–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neman, R., Roos, P., McCann, R. M., Menolascino, F. & Heal, L. W. (1974). Experimental evaluation of sensorimotor patterning used with mentally retarded children. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 79, 372–384.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neysmith-Roy, J. M. (2001). The Tomatis method with severely autistic boys: Individual case studies of behavioral changes. South African Journal of Psychology, 31, 19–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohta, M., Nagai, Y., Hara, H., & Sasaki, M. (1987). Parental perception of behavioral symptoms in Japanese autistic children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 17, pp549-563.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ornitz, E. M., Guthrie, D., & Farley, A. H. (1977). The early development of autistic children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 7, 207–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ottenbacher, K. (1982). Sensory integration therapy: Affect of effect. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 36, 571–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perez, J. M., & Sevilla, M. (1993). Psychological assessment of adolescents and adults with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 23, 653–664.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polatajko, H. J., Kaplan, B. J., & Wilson, B. N. (1992). Sensory integration treatment for children with learning disabilities: Its status 20 years later. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 12, 323–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polatajko, H. J., Law, M., Miller, J., Schaffer, R., & Macnab, J. (1991). The effect of a sensory integration program on academic achievement, motor performance, and self-esteem in children identified as learning disabled. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 11, 155–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Porges, S. W. (1998). Love and the evolution of the autonomic nervous system: The Polyvagal theory of intimacy. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 23, 837–861.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapin, I. (1997). Autism. New England Journal of Medicine, 337, 97–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ray, T. C., King, L. J., & Grandin, T. (1988). The effectiveness of self-initiated vestibular stimulation in producing speech sounds in an autistic child. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 8, 187–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reilly, C., Nelson, D. I., & Bundy, A. C. (1983). Sensorimotor versus fine motor activities in eliciting vocalizations in autistic children. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 3, 199–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rimland, B. (1964). Infantile autism: The syndrome and its implications for a neural theory of behavior. New York City: Appleton Century Crofts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rimland, B., & Edelson, R. (May, 1994). The effects of auditory integration training on autism. American Journal of Speech and Language Pathology, 18–24.

  • Rimland, B., & Edelson, S. (1995). Brief report: A pilot study of auditory integration training in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 25, 61–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rinehart, N. J. Bradshaw, J. L., Brereton, A. V., & Tonge, B. J. (2001). Movement preparation in high-functioning autism and Asperger disorder: A serial choice reaction time task involving motor reprogramming. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31, 79–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, S. J. (1998). Empirically supported comprehensive treatments for young children with autism. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 27, 138–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, S. J., Bennetto, L., McEvoy, R., & Pennington, B. F. (1996). Imitation and pantomime in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Child Development, 67, 2060–2073.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scharre, J. E., & Creedon, M. P. (1992). Assessment of visual function in autistic children. Optometry and Vision Science, 69, 433–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schleien, S. J., Heyne, L. A., & Berken, S. B. (1988). Integrating physical education to teach appropriate play skills to learners with autism: A pilot study. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 5, 182–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, I. S., Sandall, S. R., Garfinkle, A. N., & Bauer, J. (1998). Outcomes for children with autism: Three case studies. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 18, 132–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, I. M., & Bryson, S. E. (1998). Gesture imitation in autism I: Nonsymbolic postures and sequences. Cognitive Neuropsychology, 15, 747–770.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stagnitti, K., Raison, P., & Ryan, P. (1999). Sensory defensiveness syndrome: A paediatric perspective and case study. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 46, 175–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stone, W. L., Lemanek, K. L., Fishel, P. T., Fernandez, M. C., & Altemeier, W. A. (1990). Play and imitation skills in the diagnosis of autism in young children. Pediatrics, 86, 267–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stone, W. L., Ousley, O. Y., Hepburn, S. L., Hogan, K. L., & Brown, C. (1999). Patterns of adaptive behavior in very young children with autism. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 104, 187–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stone, W. L., Ousley, O. Y., Littleford, C. D. (1997). Motor imitation in young children with autism: Whats the object? Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 25, 475–485.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thelen, E., & Ulrich, B. D. (1991). Hidden skills. Monograph of the Society for Research in Child Development, 56 (pp. 1–98). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Upledger, JE. (1996). An overview of craniosacral therapy: Its origin and its applications for newborns and infants. Infants and Young Children, 9, 59–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vargas, S., & Camilli, G. (1999). A meta-analysis of research on sensory integration treatment. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 53, 189–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volkmar, F. R., Cohen, D. J., & Paul, R. (1986). An evaluation of DSM-III criteria for infantile autism. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 25, 190–197.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wainwright, J. A., & Bryson, S. E. (1996). Visual-spatial orienting in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 26, 423–438.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watters, R. G., & Watters, W. E. (1980). Decreasing self-stimulatory behavior with physical exercise in a group of autistic boys. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10, 379–387.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, R. C., & Thorpe, J. (1992). Teaching children with autism through task variation in physical education. Exceptional Children, 59, 77–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, B. N., Kaplan, B. J., Fellowes, S., Gruchy, C., & Faris, P. (1992). The efficacy of sensory integration treatment compared to tutoring. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 12, 1–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zentall, S. S., & Zentall, T. R. (1983). Optimal stimulation: A model of disordered activity and performance in normal and deviant children. Psychological Bulletin, 94, 446–471.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zisserman, L. (1991). The effects of deep pressure on self-stimulating behaviors in a child with autism and other disabilities. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 46, 547–551.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zollweg, W., Palm, D., & Vance, V. (1997). The efficacy of auditory integration training: A double-blind study. American Journal of Audiology, 6, 39–47.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Baranek, G.T. Efficacy of Sensory and Motor Interventions for Children with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 32, 397–422 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020541906063

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020541906063

Navigation